United Brands Company Protects its DRAGON JOOSE Product and Files Trademark and Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against Anheuser-Busch

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- United Brands Company, Inc. ("United Brands"), maker of JOOSE flavored malt beverage and beer products, announced today that it has filed a lawsuit for trademark infringement, copyright infringement, unfair competition, and related claims, against Anheuser-Busch, Inc. (ABI and BUD) and its competing flavored malt beverage called TILT.  United Brands has sold JOOSE since 2006 and is seeking to protect the brand integrity of DRAGON JOOSE, one of its popular versions of JOOSE.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101117/NY03347 )

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101117/NY03347 )

"While we are flattered that Anheuser-Busch recognizes the considerable value of the JOOSE brand, it is disappointing that they have resorted to stealing our design," said Michael Michail, CEO and President of United Brands. "Their new Tilt product design intentionally infringes on our DRAGON JOOSE Marks and is thereby benefiting from the brand equity of United Brands and its products."

United Brands' complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District Of California, alleges that Anheuser-Busch has intentionally infringed United Brands' DRAGON JOOSE Design Marks and caused a likelihood of confusion among the consuming public, thereby committing common law trademark infringement.  United Brands is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that by adopting product packaging that resembles and infringes the trademark, trade dress, and copyrights of United Brands, Anheuser-Busch's unlawful conduct has deceived or is likely to deceive purchasers into believing that Defendant's TILT product and United Brands' JOOSE product are related, and/or that Anheuser-Busch's TILT product is affiliated with, associated with, and/or sold by United Brands.

In 2007, United Brands launched its DRAGON JOOSE product.  The can label has remained substantially unchanged since launch.  Recently, however, Anheuser-Busch completely changed the design and began selling TILT in cans featuring a dragon design that closely resembles the design of United Brands’ DRAGON JOOSE cans.

Represented by DLA Piper LLP, United Brands seeks to recover from Anheuser-Busch the damages United Brands has sustained and will sustain, and all profits, gains and advantages derived by Anheuser-Busch as a result of their infringement of the Dragon Design Copyrights, in amount to be proven at trial.

"Our company has devoted a great deal of time, money and resources to create and market our DRAGON JOOSE product, including its inherently distinctive packaging design which sets the DRAGON JOOSE brand product apart from its competition," said Michail.  "The success of JOOSE has established United Brands as a leading seller of flavored malt beverages in the United States."

About United Brands

United Brands Company, Inc. is the producer of the JOOSE line of products, formulated with high quality ingredients and natural flavors.  United Brands is a leading manufacturer of flavored malt beverage and beer products and has been providing quality beverages to adult consumers since 2004.  The company's experienced management team is led by Founder and CEO Michael Michail, a 22-year industry veteran.  United Brands promotes responsible consumption of alcohol by adults 21 years of age and over.  United Brands is headquartered in San Diego, California.

SOURCE United Brands Company, Inc.